VIDEO: NASCAR makes pit stop at Bluffton High for Week of Champions

Sunday

Jun 15, 2014 at 12:14 AM

Jack Cavanaugh @JackCavanaughBT

Children and their parents had the opportunity to witness a live NASCAR pit crew demonstration as the Michael Waltrip Racing Team made a pit stop Thursday at Bluffton High School for the 36th annual Week of Champions.

After coming to the Week of Champions last year for a one-day event, the NASCAR team visited the Lowcountry for a total of three days, also making stops at Hilton Head Island High School and Thomas Heyward Academy.

The team enjoyed last year's visit so much it actually approached the Fellowship of Christian Athletes about doing a multiple-day event.

"We just had a one-day event last year where they came and spent a couple of hours," camp director Chuck Workman said. "But the guys really wanted the kids to have a hands-on approach this year and they wanted to be more involved.

"So they asked if they could come back this year and allow the kids to get that hands-on and experience what they do. They wanted the kids to go through a 'time in the life' of a pit crew change."

Those in attendance were first able to witness a NASCAR pit stop, including a complete tire change, before the race car screamed out of the pit area.

A question-and-answer session with the crew followed, ending with a hands-on experience where children were able to try their hand at changing tires, replacing lug nuts and using a floor jack to lift the race car off the ground.

Asked if they enjoyed this year's NASCAR experience, one Bluffton High student and his younger sister were quick to answer in the affirmative.

"Oh, I love this. This was great," Lucas Sosa said. "It was really neat to see what the pit crew does, and it's nice they all follow behind Jesus Christ and have a real team atmosphere."

"My favorite part was changing the yellow things on the wheels, the lug nuts," Victoria Sosa added. "I liked watching them run around and fix the car. They were fast."

Greg Miller, head pit crew coach for Michael Waltrip Racing, spoke about why he and his team spent one of their few days off in the Lowcountry sharing their profession and their faith.

"We're very happy with the turnout down here so far," he said. "We want to show the kids that you don't have to stick to just the stick-and-ball sports. There's a side of motorsports that if you like the racing industry or any part of it, there are jobs available.

"We're just out here sharing our sport, our sponsors and our faith with these kids and their families and we really enjoy doing that."

Miller also discussed the possibility of a potential week-long motorsports camp next year, in addition to the FCA Week of Champions.

"This has gone so well over the past couple of years that we've been talking about trying to do an entire camp next year that is motorsports oriented," he said. "Maybe we'd bring down some go-karts and show them how to make laps and teach them about the driving experience.

"If it's the Lord's will, we'll figure out a way to make that happen."

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